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Health September 2014

Eat Right Now

Inflammation and Butter Pickles

By Wendell Fowler

Since it's taken 4000 years to appear on Americans’ spice radar, you've missed the boat on cool, blessed relief from the hot fires of internal inflammation, the common link between Alzheimer's, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis. Inflammation is your temple's reaction to stress –  whether from your crappy diet, inactive lifestyle or unavoidable air pollution or chemtrails from airplanes.

You eat it but not for reasons Creation intended. There it is, in the back of the pantry, an aging container of turmeric. All I knew of turmeric was Mom adding it to her butter pickles. Used as medicine for over 4000 years, until recently we've been told nothing of its potent, scientifically supported heavenly health benefits. To Americans, turmeric colors mustard, butter pickles, chow-chow, cheddar cheese, and yellow rice. Although in many countries, the ancient cooking spice is revered as potent, healing and preventive medicine.

Since it's taken 4000 years to appear on Americans’ spice radar, you've missed the boat on cool, blessed relief from the hot fires of internal inflammation, the common link between Alzheimer's, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis. Inflammation is your temple's reaction to stress – whether from your crappy diet, inactive lifestyle or unavoidable air pollution or chemtrails from airplanes. America's epidemic of chronic, constant low-grade inflammation destroys your temple’s delicate balance, leaving you predisposed to aging and disease.

The World Health Organization reports a considerably lower incidence of Alzheimer's in India where curries and their main ingredients –  turmeric and ginger, natural detoxifiers –  are a daily staple. Turmeric contains curcumin, a bioactive plant chemical researchers believe, in part, is why Alzheimer's is uncommon in India, yet epidemic in the U.S. The NIH documented in India that among adults 70-79, Alzheimer's is 4.4 times less than in the U.S. suggesting turmeric and anti-inflammatory ginger could be a huge part of avoiding dementia. Apparently, together they can prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer's by removing amyloid plaque buildup in your aging brain.

The poor man's saffron, turmeric is an organic antiseptic and antibacterial. When combined with cauliflower, it helps prevent prostate cancer and stops the growth of existing prostate cancer. Studies reveal turmeric prevented breast cancer from spreading to the lungs in mice, and caused existing melanoma cells to commit suicide. Curcumin reduces risk for and possibly prevents metastasis in many different forms of liver disorders and cancer.

Taking Coumadin? Turmeric's anti-blood clotting effect is risky for individuals taking anti-coagulants, suffering from gallbladder problems or awaiting surgery. Consult your phlebotomist and have them adjust your Coumadin to accommodate the turmeric. If they roll their eyes and don't know about it, better find a doctor who attends continuing education programs.

Such a good husband I am. Each evening when Sandi arrives home from work, I have turmeric tea ready. Instructions: take 1 inch of fresh ginger and ½ fresh lemon and chop them coarsely in the food processor. Place just enough water for two mugs in a sauce pan on the stove and warm, but not boil. Remove from fire and add the turmeric, lemon, ginger and a dash of cayenne and let steep for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, add 4 capfuls of Bragg's apple cider vinegar, and fresh raw honey to the awaiting mugs. Finally, place a strainer over the mugs and gently decant the psychedelic yellow brew. Stir frequently and drink. The turmeric tends to gravitate rapidly to the cup’s bottom.

Yes, it's tart, but weigh the good against the bad. Purification and healing of your temple begins with loving yourself enough to actively participate in building your health destiny. It's never too late to create a groovy relationship with food that's life supporting and re-enchants you to the divine essence that nourishment is truly all about. Now pucker up!

 

Chef Wendell hosts Eat Right Now on WISH TV 8 CBS Indianapolis. He can be reached at 317-372-2592 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Visit his website at Chefwendell.com.

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